On Sunday, September 16, 2001, churches and other places of worship across the country were filled to overflowing. I’ll never forget that day. Masses were standing room at St. Philip’s parish where I was serving. As I looked out on the congregation, serious and sorrowful faces stared back at me. Some had tears in their eyes. After Mass parishioners stood outside, embraced, and spoke about the fear and uncertainty that we were all experiencing and how important it was that we all turn to the Lord during this time.
Two weeks later, Mass attendance was back to “normal.” The initial shock of the terrorist attack on our country had begun to wear off. But I’ll never forget the solidarity that we experienced during that time. In this midst of immense suffering we were united, and a profound goodness flowed from the depths of peoples’ hearts.
Tragedy. It has a way of uniting us. It has a way of breaking down the walls that so often divide us. It has a way of bringing out the very best in each and every human heart.
Enter Haiti.
Last weekend at the seminary where I live we hosted a retreat for men discerning the priesthood. One young man who is from Haiti asked the haunting question: Do we believe that God did this? I and the other priests and seminarians answered with an unequivocal “No!” I reject Pat Robertson’s claim that this earthquake happened because the Haitian people made a pact with the devil to drive out the French. There’s an interesting scene in the Gospel of Luke that I believe also refutes Robertson’s claim. Jesus refers to a tragic event that occurred in Siloam. He says, “…those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem?” Jesus’ answer? “By no means!” (Luke 13:4). Our Lord makes clear that just because those people were killed does not mean it was because of something evil that they did.
I can’t pretend to answer why disasters happen. I do know that, for some reason, God allows them to happen. He does not will them to happen. There’s a big difference, and it may be a mystery that we comprehend only when we are with Him for eternity.
I do know that tragedy unites us, that it brings out the best in us, that, even if just for a moment, it makes us drop our labels of liberal and conservative, believer and non-believer and reach out to those who are suffering.
I also believe that in a mystical way the Lord is suffering with and in the people of Haiti. He’s with them. How else can we explain what the Lord said to Saul: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” (Acts 9:4). Saul was persecuting the Christians, and in persecuting them he was persecuting Christ who dwelled with them. We can say the same concerning Haiti: Christ is suffering with and in the people of Haiti, and in reaching out to the people of Haiti we are also reaching out to Christ, for “Whatever you do for the least of my brothers and sisters, you do for me” (Matthew 25:40).
God is with them. But He also wants to be with them and reach out to them through you and me!
Living a holy life requires that we reach out to those in need. If you have not already given to help the people of Haiti, I strongly encourage you to do so. Personally, I gave to Catholic Relief Services; but you can give to the charity of your choice. If you simply cannot give, please pray for them. But remember Mother Teresa’s words: we must give until it hurts.
P.S. I’m stealing an idea from a fellow blogger and I hope it challenges you: for every comment that is left on this post (not on facebook but here on my blog) I will donate an additional five dollars to Catholic Relief Services. Don’t be afraid to challenge others to give as well!
33 responses so far ↓
Lindsay Rigby // January 20, 2010 at 7:25 pm |
Fr. Mike,
Thank you for posting your thoughts on Haiti. It is indeed a great tragedy, but as you wrote, incidents like these also serve to bring out the best in humanity. I’ve seen such a remarkable outpouring of love, care, concern and action. May the donations and prayers continue!
That is very generous of you to donate to the cause through your blog… I know the people of Haiti will be blessed because of it, and may God bless you for it, as well!
In Christ always,
Lindsay
Katie // January 20, 2010 at 7:26 pm |
Hi Fr. Najim,
Your, “post on my blog and I’ll give $5 to Haiti,” is a great and kind idea.
Thanks for this entry – I needed that.
It came at a good time, as it helped me decide on what Charity to give to as I heard that the Red Cross keeps a percentage of the donations.
I’ve been holding off on giving to Haiti because the night before the earthquake I donated to the Susan Komen Foundation for a friend’s mother who is climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise money for Cancer research.
Thanks!
-KC
Valli Leone // January 20, 2010 at 8:03 pm |
Praise the Lord, Fr. Michael, for Catholic Relief Services and for faithful brothers like you who continue to interecede and to act for God’s children in Haiti.
May many more be rescued — and may all be saved for all eternity by the Blood of the Lamb.
Jesus never fails! xxx ooo Valli
Nicki // January 20, 2010 at 8:38 pm |
I gave money to CRS for comments on my blog, too!
Christine Dufresne // January 20, 2010 at 8:49 pm |
Thank you for reminding me that God is with the people of Haiti. I think too often in life, especially in tragedy, I tend to think of God up in heaven, wherever that is, looking down with sadness, but how true it is that he is not somewhere out there but instead right there in the person who is trapped as well as the one working to free them. Thank you for helping me get my perspective straight once again. God bless always.
Nina // January 20, 2010 at 10:07 pm |
$5 for Haiti!
Just my 2 cents…the earthquake happened simply because our planet Earth is constantly moving the plates in the ground. That is how it has been for millions of years. So no one could have been to blame.
Vicki R // January 20, 2010 at 11:09 pm |
Dear Father Najim,
I read your blog regularly but have never commented because I am not a very good writer. I always get clear direction from you on difficult subjects, such as this disaster in Haiti. I thank you for your insight and your generousity to give an extra $5.00 for everyone who comments. I have given your blogspot to friends who have found your writing very inspirational, as I do. I hope they log in and accept your challenge also. May the people in Haiti know that Jesus is with them and that his followers care through the response to their dire need; through prayer and if they are able with a donation. If they are not able to donate they just have to comment to add another $5.00 to the cause.
May God continue to bless you always,
Vicki
Nancy // January 20, 2010 at 11:33 pm |
God bless you for your generosity. I will also continue to give until it hurts.
Peace and love be with you.
Nancy
Daniella // January 21, 2010 at 12:11 am |
God bless you for all that you are doing!!!
FAITH , HOPE AND LOVE!!
Daniella
Kathy Kwok // January 21, 2010 at 10:23 am |
Fr. Mike:
Deus Caritas Est – Encyclical Letter, Benedict XVI:
“Si comprehendis, non est Deus”—”if you understand him, he is not God. – St. Augustine
Thank you for your generosity to CRS.
Love & prayers,
Kathy
Lynne Brown // January 21, 2010 at 11:19 am |
Thanks Fr. Mike, for your insight & honesty, because it challenges and builds up our faith. If we are truly charitable, why do we need disasters to remind us to practice what Jesus considered the most important virtue? I guess that’s why St. Paul reminds us in Romans 8 that ALL creation groans and suffers, as it awaits its’ redemption…
Judith Rosa // January 21, 2010 at 12:00 pm |
Fr. Mike,
I think the challenge you put forth is wonderful. The extra money and prayers for those in Haiti will be greatly received. God bless you and all who help in some way.
Judy
Bill Bowden // January 21, 2010 at 12:27 pm |
Hi Fr. Najim,
Thank you for your witness, for being such an inspiration to the young and not so young in our Diocese and now through your blog that reaches so many souls!
And I am praying for all those involved in this calamity that has hit our brothers and sisters in Haiti, and for all of us to not only turn to our Lord in times of trouble but that He will give us the grace to worship Him always, without ceaseing…
Lord, hear our prayer,
+Bill Bowden
dawn cope // January 21, 2010 at 12:45 pm |
Thank you for your generosity to the people of Haiti.
Maria N. // January 21, 2010 at 2:12 pm |
Dear Father Mike:
I just received this email from our Emmaus leader and found it inspirational. It’s true that with every major disaster the first thing that some people say is “there is no God because if there was, how would He allow something like this to happen”.
I agree with you that God allows these things to happen. For those whose time came, they are at peace. For those that are rescued, their time had not come. But for those that have stepped up to offer their service to these poor people, God will give great rewards. It takes a tragedy like this to bring out the best in people. Let’s all give what we can and also give physical help wherever needed. God bless you.
Belinda Munoz // January 21, 2010 at 2:42 pm |
Oh, so true. It’s those tectonic plates shifting and nothing more. But how do we convince those who are buried under many layers of doubt? I guess we don’t. Instead, we show them that we care and we suffer with them. And maybe that’ll be a good starting point. So great that you’re doing this, Fr. Mike.
JC // January 21, 2010 at 5:02 pm |
5 for Haiti. Friedrich Nietzsche once said “To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering.”
Like you said Fr. Mike: “Tragedy. It has a way of uniting us. It has a way of breaking down the walls that so often divide us. It has a way of bringing out the very best in each and every human heart.” Now there is some meaning out of this great tragedy. Thank you.
Frank // January 21, 2010 at 5:41 pm |
Fr. Mike,
I truly agree with you about God’s position on natural disasters, how he allows them to happen but does not will them happen. I truly believe that and it is important for us as human beings to understand it. It troubles me to hear how people take these terrible situations and say that it happened because of God’s punishment for some grave sin. I have heard people say that the Twin Towers went down because of America’s legality of abortion. I think that is misleading; however, I do believe that something like an earthquake would be brought on by sin, Original Sin. If Original Justice was a world without earthquakes than when man first sinned it put the world in motion to constantly need to crush and rebuild new crust surface. For Christ indeed came to renew us of this sin and the most tragic thing happened to Him, for he was scourged and crucified. God allowed this to happen yes, but did he will it, meaning did he want to see his son suffer? If we can understand that Christ chose to suffer for us because of the love he had for the Father, then we must believe that he continues to suffer with us for the same reason.
My heart goes out to all of our brothers and sisters in Haiti and abroad. I’m most happy to see what a powerful response we have given to this tragedy. I pray that those seats remain full in all parishes. God Bless You!
deb slavin // January 21, 2010 at 8:33 pm |
Hi Fr. Mike,
Thank you for the very thoughtful article,, makes all of us think.
In my work as an emergency dept. staff nurse, pts often ask me why, if there is a God are they allowed to suffer. They know of my Apostolate, the Nurses for Divine Mercy, and in my heart, I know God does not make a person suffer, to punish, I agree, he may allow it, but, I also try to talk about the fact, that you are a vessel, allowing another to be merciful, to do good, you are a vessel allowing compassion to flow forth, people need a reason to do good, to care, to have compassion. It sometimes makes a difference, but I know, if the merciful Lord does not allow for a physicial healing of the illness or pain, he will give the graces of strength, and courage.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us on your blog.
May the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, be your health and your protection,
in Christ, the Divine Mercy,
deb
R. L // January 21, 2010 at 8:47 pm |
Dear Fr. Najim;
I too remember St. Philips being filled to capacity on 9/16/01. It is amazing how people come together to pray at such difficult times. I have organized a campaign at work for donations to Haiti. You are such a generous person with the challenge of $5 for every comment written here. Please keep us inspiried with your wonderful writings.
May God Bless you always
R. L.
Roberta // January 22, 2010 at 12:06 am |
I just found your site and signed up for your email newsletter! Thank you so much. Your messages are thoughtful and inspire much thought. May God be with our brothers and sisters in Haiti. I vehemently disagreed with the remark by Pat Robertson as well. What I find remarkable are all of the people who having lost everything during the quake are in the streets praying and praising God. My heart aches for their losses and I pray that their country will be rebuilt and be even stronger in so many ways.
APG // January 22, 2010 at 6:51 am |
Haven’t left a comment before but you set the challenge! Thanks for all your good work and excellent posts I share them with friends and family!
Michelle Diaz // January 23, 2010 at 9:53 pm |
Thank you for your dedication to this cause. We have so many parishioners that have lost loved ones in Haiti. We are all giving as much as we can.
God bless you,
Michelle
Fr. Matt Williams // January 24, 2010 at 10:50 am |
Fr. Michael,
Thank you for all the good work that you are doing in followng the Holy Father’s call to use the new media of our generation to proclaim the Gospel. I think of of St. Paul’s letter to St. Timothy where he tells him to “preach the word, in season and out of season; convince, rebuke and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching…”
God bless you,
Fr. Matt+
Fr. Michael Najim // January 24, 2010 at 1:49 pm |
Thanks Fr. Matt! You rock! Keep up the great work in Boston!
Sister Mary Ann // January 24, 2010 at 3:31 pm |
Thanks, Father Mike, for you insight and your generosity! In watching the evening news I’ve been deepl moved by the compassion and generosity of so many people even children. One liitle two year old girl crawled over and gently caressed a small boy’s head. It’s in giving that we
find ourselves as our Holy Father states so often. Thank you for showing the way.
Kelly // January 24, 2010 at 3:50 pm |
Fr. Mike, I love Catholic Relief Services. Thanks so much for doing this. If you don’t mind, I’d also like to point your attention to a fantastic organization called Hands Together. They’re based in Haiti and have been providing meals, jobs and education for a while now. My husband and I watched a documentary on the work done there by Fr. Tom Hagan and his volunteers during Christmas of 2008. It was humbling, to say the least. It is way more likely for a child to die before reaching the age of three than it is for him or her to survive. And all this, of course, pre-earthquake.
Denise // January 24, 2010 at 8:30 pm |
I have been inspired by the generosity of so many in the wake of the tragedy in Haiti. From your challenge to give, Fr. Michael, to the sharing of prayers across the Web, to the total monies raised by local parishes, I see examples of the good hearts of so many. God wants us to reach out to each other, and thank you to all who have reached out!
Fr. Michael Najim // January 24, 2010 at 8:46 pm |
Thanks for reading. Can’t wait to read more on ignatianspirituality.com! St. Ignatius hangs over my desk!
stephanie // January 25, 2010 at 11:23 pm |
I’m reading “Happy Are You Poor” by Fr. Dubay and am pondering what it really means to ‘give until it hurts’ Like most, I’m ‘Mrs. Jones’ who thinks of what “we could afford”…”"without changing significantly our level of consuming”.
FK // January 27, 2010 at 10:12 am |
$5 for Haiti.
An excellent idea!
Thank you for your insight and generosity.
God bless!
J.M.J // February 4, 2010 at 1:10 pm |
TO YOU AND TO THE WORLD,
JUST LIKE I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT DAY, ALSO I WILL NEVER FORGET THE WAY YOU RESPOND TO US IN OUR QUAGMIRE TIME. TRAGEDY LIKE THAT, TO ME, BRINGS OUT NOT JUST THE BEST IN US, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY WHO WE REALLY ARE, FOR WE ARE CREATED TO ACT RIGHTLY, TO DO GOOD ALL THE TIME.
THANK YOU FATHER!
Pauline // February 11, 2010 at 5:42 am |
God bless all who have indeed helped the Haitians, whether its in cash or kind. May God’s love be with all Haitians, and the whole world.